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Secretary Napolitano in London, Securing the Global Supply Chain

June 21, 2011

12:39 pm

Posted by Public Affairs

Secretary Napolitano was in London today as part of a trip to meet with international partners to discuss ongoing collaboration to enhance our collective security. In London, she met with her counterparts from the United Kingdom to continue to bolster international collaboration between the two countries to ensure the security, efficiency, and resiliency of the global supply chains that are crucial to the safety, security and prosperity of citizens in both nations.

The United States and United Kingdom share a long history of working together to tackle issues of global concern. The meetings today reaffirmed our continued commitment to enhancing the security of the global supply chain by strengthening international cargo screening standards and expanding risk-based targeting to focus resources on the most dangerous shipments.

For example, in collaboration with our international partners, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) utilizes the Container Security Initiative to ensure that all U.S.-bound maritime containers that pose a potential risk are identified and inspected before they are placed on vessels destined for the U.S..

These efforts and our continued partnership with countries around the world help to prevent terrorists from exploiting the global supply chain to move weapons and dangerous materials through U.S. ports, while also facilitating the efficient flow of legitimate trade.

Also in London, Secretary Napolitano met with the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Efthimios Mitropoulos. The IMO is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for improving maritime safety.

The Secretary’s European trip will continue in the coming days with stops in the Netherlands and Brussels. Check back for more updates from the road.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.